One of the state’s top rising juniors is Howell (Mich.) 2025 defensive lineman Bobby Kanka.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder already holds nearly double-digit offers in his recruitment including one from Michigan.
It’s a school he’s very familiar with as he’s visited numerous times throughout the process and returned earlier this week to take in a spring practice and reconnect with defensive line coach Mike Elston.
“I would say the main highlights of the visit was that I learned a couple things that will help me on the field and off the field,” Kanka told The Michigan Insider. “Also, my parents and I sat and talked with Coach Elston in his office for half and hour before we left. We talked about our families and what was going on in all of our lives. Coach Elston mentioned that I belong at Michigan and I can definitely see myself playing for a guy like Coach Elston.”
The local standout paid close attention to the defensive line group during practice and noted sophomore defensive tackle Mason Graham as one of the top performers on the day.
“Mason Graham definitely stood out to me,” Kanka admitted. “I like watching him because he’s a young guy who enrolled early and is playing early, which is something that I definitely want to do. I also watched Braiden McGregor a lot because we have similar builds and I play pretty much the same position as he does for my high school team.”
Looking ahead, Kanka plans on making several more visits this spring including another trip or two back to Ann Arbor.
“Yes, I’ll be back on Tuesday to sit in on meetings and I’ll be back for the spring game,” Kanka said. “I’ll also be at Penn State on April 13-15th and Toledo on the 8th. I was planning on going down to Tennessee, but we couldn’t make it happen due to my parents’ work schedules.”
Michigan leads the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Bobby Kanka with all five predictions favoring the in-state Wolverines.
He has yet to be ranked by 247Sports or in the Composite rankings.
For a full list of Michigan’s 2024 scholarship offers, click HERE
For a full list of Michigan’s 2024 target list, click HERE
For a full list of Michigan’s 2025 target list, click HERE
The Wolverines finished their 2023 recruiting class ranked 19th in the country according to 247Sports. They were led by four-star Texas defender Enow Etta along with four-stars Evan Link (OL), Cole Cabana (RB) and Amir Herring (OL) among others.
In 2024, the staff is off to a strong start with four-star commitments from in-state defensive back Jacob Oden, tight end Hogan Hansen, defensive lineman Ted Hammond, offensive lineman Luke Hamilton and linebacker/edge Mason Curtis.
One area the staff has turned into a huge focus is in Ohio, home to rival Ohio State. With two wins in a row over the Buckeyes, Michigan believes they can start to make the longtime recruiting stronghold one once again. They currently have a trio of November commits from the state and have their eyes on a handful of prospects in the 2024 recruiting class.
“It’s a major priority,” defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale said of Ohio. “Really, to be honest with you, anywhere we have connections and anywhere where there’s talented football players is an extreme priority. And Ohio, always being just right down the street — I’m from Ohio, and I know that football there is a high level. And so we definitely want to continue to tap into that.
“The different players we have on our team from Ohio have been a very big impact for us. So we’re gonna continue to do that. Build those relationships back up and continue to bring those players up here and show them what we’re about. And it’s been going pretty well here recently. So we want to continue that trend and continue with the ’24 class and anybody else and finalized the ’23 class.”
